Since it was founded in 1987 by Marcelle Citron, FoodNet has become a familiar fixture in the community. A United Way agency from the start, it has served as a safety net for those whose income or benefits are not adequate to cover their needs.

Over the past 25 years, FoodNet has distributed thousands of tons of food. In 2011 alone, the organization distributed about 1 million pounds - a half-ton - of food to about 30,000 people in Lafayette Parish. That includes individual families and about 10 agencies, such as Faith House Battered Women's Shelter, the Children's Shelter, St. Joseph Shelter for Men, Acadiana Youth Shelter for Girls - the list goes on.

Those numbers speak not only of the dedication of FoodNet's board of directors, volunteers and staff, but also of the generosity of the people in the community it serves.

Over the past two and a half decades, FoodNet has reached out and formed partnerships with businesses and organizations that donate either money or food.

Partners include Second Harvest Food Band of New Orleans and Acadiana, which distributes food to the local food bank, and Chick-fil-A, which holds fundraisers for FoodNet.

But the organization is supported mainly by the businesses, schools, organizations and individuals of Acadiana who hold food drives large and small, or donate to them.

It is also supported by all the shoppers who buy a little extra and drop a non-perishable food item into the "Community Market Baskets" they pass as they are leaving their favorite supermarket.

FoodNet is an example of a community organization that has succeeded in its mission of helping its own.

We wish them well and hope they continue to grow and build upon the success it has enjoyed through the hard work and dedication of those who work toward the goal of combating hunger in Acadiana.

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What We Think: FoodNet expands its mission

In today's economic climate, when agencies and organizations are cutting back on their services, it's good to hear that at least one has been able to expand and add to the services it offers.